Consumer Articles From the HFC - Wicker Wonderland--New Indoor-Outdoor Wickers Shrug Off The Elements

Furniture World Magazine

There could be nothing more summery than a white wicker chaise set invitingly under a shade tree--and nothing more inconvenient than having to haul it to shelter at the first sign of rain. But what if you could combine the comfort and breezy, belle-époque elegance of wicker with the weather resistance of wood or aluminum? Pour a cool glass of lemonade and put up your feet, says the Home Furnishings Council. Wicker with an attitude is here. Made from woven wood products or extruded resins, the new generation of indoor outdoor wicker is exactly what its name implies: handsome, comfortable furniture that looks terrific indoors, while standing up to the outdoor elements. "The biggest problem with natural rattan and wicker is that it expands and contracts, and the feet pull the moisture right up into the frame," says Dale Campbell with Lloyd Flanders, a leading manufacturer of indoor-outdoor wicker. "We use an aluminum frame instead, which eliminates swelling and splitting, and the legs have plastic capped feet." Though the frames are aluminum, the look of these lines is entirely traditional, and startlingly close to natural wicker. " In our indoor-outdoor collection, the woven materials are striated, which looks much more natural than a single color," says Peter Schultz, with California-based Casual Living Worldwide. "It really is hard to tell the difference." An added benefit of this next-generation wicker is its versatility. Because it doesn't fray or decay with outdoor use, it looks good enough to move into a sunroom or even living room for winter enjoyment. " I live in the middle of Wisconsin, and I leave our wicker pieces out on the deck all year round," adds Schultz. "They get wind, snow, rain--and the next year they'd look good anywhere in the house. I think they'll be around a lot longer than any of us." Bottom line? Durable, double-duty wicker gives you double the use: move a wicker rocker indoors come November, where it lends a breezy, summery touch to a winter room; and move it back out in summer, for comfortable lawn-lounging. "These new materials give you a durable product that is beautiful as well, with lots of fashion options," concludes Lloyd Flanders' Campbell. "You can't beat it." The Home Furnishings Council, a national, nonprofit organization of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers, is dedicated to providing inspiration, information and guidance for consumers in furnishing their homes. Consumers can call 1-800-52 1 -HOME to learn where they can pick up their free copy of the latest edition of HAVEN®: Planning a Comfortable Home decorating guide.